Rookie camp, holy month can co-exist

KITCHENER -- Being a first-round draft pick of the Maple Leafs comes with enough pressure. Nazem Kadri didn't need any more heading into his first NHL rookie camp this week.

Fortunately, a potential controversy that could have involved Kadri, the seventh overall pick in June, has been cut off at the pass, and all the 18-year-old forward has to worry about here this week at the Memorial Auditorium is playing hard and impressing the Leafs.

This year's rookie camp is scheduled at the same time as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, an annual observance that calls for practising Muslims to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or anything considered ill-natured, from dawn until sunset.

CLEARANCE

Kadri, only the second player of Lebanese descent to be drafted into the NHL, is a practising Muslim, so there was a potential problem. Not being able to drink during practices or games could be dangerous. But Kadri said yesterday that he has been given clearance by his Imam, though he will fast when he can, including off-days.

"I try to (fast)," the London, Ont., native said. "But when you're on the ice a couple of times a day, it's physically pretty impossible. You need to be hydrated. You need your water, things like that.

Playing in his first game in a Leafs jersey last night against the Penguins' rookie team, Kadri demonstrated his speed and skill at times, including a play during which he danced into the slot and fired a shot off the Pittsburgh goalpost.

Kadri reiterated his hope yesterday to make the Leafs this season and not end up back with the junior London Knights. And, to that end, he certainly impressed Brian Burke with his desire, skill and defensive play.

"After (last night's) game I'd say he's in the hunt," the Leafs general manager said. "But as I said two days ago, my assessment is he'll need more time in junior. But he'll get a chance to show what he can do, and I'd love to be wrong."

Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins, who also is running the Leafs' rookie team here, said the club is not putting any pressure on the teen.

"It's a double-edged sword," Eakins said. "We don't want to rush you, but you should be ticked off if you don't make the Leafs. You should be striving to make it to the main camp. And if you make it to the main camp, you should be striving to stay around as long as possible.

"He's the first-round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs and that is very different from being a first-round draft pick for any other team," Eakins said. "Kadri is going to be under the microscope and it's something he's going to have to deal with."